The newest season of Netflix’s The Witcher has arrived — and it comes with a major change.
Liam Hemsworth now takes over the role of Geralt of Rivia, replacing former lead Henry Cavill.
Hemsworth will headline the final two seasons of the fantasy series, which is adapted from the bestselling novels and hit video games.
Cavill, the British star who originally brought the White Wolf — a monster hunter gifted with supernatural abilities — to life, confirmed in October 2022 that he would be stepping away from the role. While he praised Hemsworth as a “fantastic” actor, the reaction from fans was far less unified.
Some viewers threatened to drop the show entirely, and Hemsworth himself has acknowledged that following Cavill is “daunting.”
Early critical responses have been split. Variety called season four an “upgrade,” while The Guardian said Hemsworth is “as charismatic as a bollard in a wig.”
BBC Newsbeat spoke with professional critics to gauge their impressions of the new episodes — and to find out whether Hemsworth’s Geralt can live up to the legacy left behind.
Why did Henry Cavill leave the Witcher?
Henry Cavill’s reputation as a champion of nerd culture is well established. He’s long been open about his passion for video games, sci-fi, and fantasy.
While Netflix has never given an official reason for his departure from The Witcher, reports have pointed to creative differences. Cavill has previously emphasized his commitment to “remaining faithful to the source material” and maintaining Geralt’s characterization as depicted in the books.
Since exiting the series, he has gone on to secure a starring and producing role in Amazon’s upcoming Warhammer 40,000 adaptation — a project he has called a dream come true.
Sabrina Barr, TV Editor at Metro, says Cavill was “the epitome of Geralt,” and admits that seeing Liam Hemsworth step into the role felt “jarring” initially.
However, she tells Newsbeat that Hemsworth “does a good job” and praises him as “brave” for taking on such a beloved character.